"And all of a sudden it is calm. No movement. Not the slightest breeze. Even the birds stopped chirping. The world is holding its breath. This abrupt hush is eerie. It's the calm before the hurricane. But am I ready? I think I am ready. As ready as it gets. Now the waiting begins. I'm not ashamed to say I'm afraid.
The wind is picking up...
The relentless gusts unload their explosive charges like bombs. The noise is deafening. Every gust makes me list and shiver when the wind hits me. They don’t come head on. They strike from the side like Thor’s hammer. The lightning show is spectacular, for unbroken moments at a time it is bright.
I doubt that I will be able to survive twice this. How much more can I take? How much longer will it last? My headsail comes loose. Slapping in the wind it bangs like machine gun fire.
And ironically now, at the peak of the storm, I calm down. I understand the eye already passed us, it will be over soon. The worst lays behind me.
I have made it! I live!"